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Volunteers working on the canal bank

Restoration Update


December 2005

Since confirmation of the Advantage West Midlands funding in the summer which has released the HLF funding, a huge amount of work has been going on in the background. Read on to find out more.

Engineering

The towpath works between Netherwich and the A38 are now completed and have greatly improved the towpath and access along the section. A surfaced towpath has been installed, in sections raising the level of the towpath freeboard in places where the surface was almost at water level! New access ramps have been installed at the Leisure Centre and Ombersley Way to improve access for all at key places.

Droitwich Canals Trust volunteers have played a valuable role in the works too, installing the bank stabilisation at the fishing pegs around the Leisure Centre. Fished by the Railway Anglers who have carried out work in the past, some of the pegs were eating into the towpath and with the chance of them collapsing in when the towpath works started. The grass bank also made it a little difficult for fishermen to get down to the waters edge at some sections. The new steps are a big improvement.

A canoe ramp has also been installed close to the Pavilion at St George's playing field. The ramp is aimed to be as accessible as possible and the canoeing will start happening in the New Year.

Our other big challenge at the moment is sorting out the design work around the A449. Subsequent research has found that the original bridge is still under the embankment. The main issue is that the big abutments that were added to the original structure in 1942 are in line with where we intend to construct the new bridge. We have recently uncovered some useful aerial photos but if anyone with additional knowledge of how this construction of the dual carriage way took place, please get in contact with us. Our two main design ideas are to use the arch of the original bridge and take the canal through it or to build a box culvert alongside this to create a wholly new structure.

Getting involved

Education projects with local schools - Red Kite Environment has been working with BW's WOW Coordinator and staff at Bishop's Wood Education Centre to create education resources for the canal. The first stage of this has been funded through the Liveability grant and should be on the WOW website around the time of going to press. Have a look at these on www.wow4water.net. These will focus on Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 year olds) . These include:

  • An introductory lesson about the canals and the Barge Canal 's builder James Brindley
  • A debating activity about the restoration of the canals
  • An activity about the reed beds and the wildlife on the canals

Interpretation and Arts projects -

  • We won the TV vote on People's Millions and have been granted £50k to create the Wych Barge - a land based replica of a Wych Barge based in Vine's Park. It will be completed accessible for disabled visitors and will be a key attraction in the park, former loading point for the barges. The aim will also be to tell some of the history of the canal and salt trade in Vines Park showing how the line of the canal has changed. Thank you to all those who voted and all those who came out to help with the filming. This will be completed by November 06.
  • The Romanesque Mosaic in Vine's Park - we're talking to 3 local schools about how this could happen at the moment. It is hoped that the project will be happening around Christmas time.

The other projects that we're planning include:

  • The Netherwich Young People's Art Project - a lighting, mural and towpath improvement project under the railway bridges near the basin.
  • The Reminiscence and Research Project (working title) - we aim to do an oral history project which will capture people's thoughts and memories of the canal.

For those who haven't had a chance to look at the Interpretation & Arts Strategy, interpretation is about communicating a message. This could be to do with almost anything related to the canal from the wildlife and the history to the characters associated with it. These messages are then put across through different means, through features on site, actors recreating a character through live interpretation or simply through interactive panels next to the towpath.

Getting involved and learning new skills

Different ways of getting involved are increasing and a works program is being put together for the DCT work groups. Keep an eye on the New Wych for when different projects are taking place.

Money

What's there already?

We have nearly £10.5m towards the total £11.5m budget. This is from Advantage West Midlands, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Liveability), Sport England, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council. There are also grants available from local Trusts and sponsors which are listed under each project as appropriate.

We are being given funding for a number of small charitable trusts and we'd like to start recognising them through the New Wych. Recently we've been given grants from:

  • Joanies Trust
  • The Dulverton Trust
  • People's Millions (pledged)

What we still need

The fundraising is being led by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways to find the remaining £1m for the project. We still have a shortfall in funding of £1million which will be found during the restoration. If you are able to help, please contact us on the number below.

Hanbury Wharf Locks Open Day

The event was run by Droitwich Canals Trust in October and was popular with lots of families and all expressed a real interest in the project. We look forward to more similar events in the future.

Contacts

To find out more, please contact members of the Droitwich Canals Restoration project team on 01452 318000.

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